an excellent introduction to (and reinforcement of) modern jazz

[jazzboCR]

No, not one of the tedious and tendentious pieces you've bludgeoned/been bludgeoned with, not one of the Usual Suspects, no. Here's a guy paid his dues, got called up to the Big Time (Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis Big Band--best school ever in the 60's-90's), started his own thing, has been a stalwart in the Yellowjackets, and he and his trio (not him and some sidemen--all contribute equally) give you and his Japanese audience a brilliant, concise course in the state of the art in this thing called jazz circa '09 (not a live recording--it's a Japan-only release *). I draw your attention to track 7--the first of 3 "Improv" tracks. This is where you ensnare a non-Jazz lover--not a mash, a mesh of all sorts of stuff. Bob Mintzer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMHYz9F1vPY Interesting sell'm vid here: musical tasting, with interview snippets in which a Classical fan might find "hooks".:
Here's a tune off the album Canyon Cove I teased you with above. This is nothing like the piece I recco'd above but if you acquire/listen to the album, and compare the two, be amazed at their relaxed professionalism and versatility: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1H1MhabsWs
Couldn't let this guy go without a big band clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEfQ3n9bBNE << These guys wanted to be there and play with him. Uncommon accomplishment.

* change that to "...was...". Now available from him directly--I checked--it's cheaper, more legal and more supportive to go direct: http://www.bobmintzer.com/cds_detail.php?cd=53